A record 478 associate degrees and certificates were conferred May 27th at

CT Convention Center

the 63rd Commencement exercises of Capital Community College.

The event was held at the Connecticut Convention Center not far from the College’s downtown campus that opened in the fall of 2002.
President Calvin E. Woodland, marking his final commencement after serving as CCC President since March of 2005,  singled out graduating student Johanna Aguado, who came to Hartford five years ago from Peru, lived in an apartment with 20 family members and cared for her twin sister’s infant full time while going to school. So many Capital students cope with raising children and family members while working, often at more than one job, Woodland said, but they persist. Woodland is retiring this summer and this was his final Capital commencement. He praised the college’s faculty, staff and management, as remarkable professionals solely focused on finding and creating opportunities for their students. “I was inspired every day by them,” he said, “and by our students, who conquer incredible challenges to make it through college.”

Dr. Elsa Núñez, president of Eastern Connecticut State University, was the keynote speaker and talked to graduates about applying lessons learned from geese to their lives. Núñez said geese work in supportive teams, flying far faster together than they could alone. “As much as one person can have an amazing impact on the world, when we bring teams of people together, even greater good can occur,” she said.
Jim Bedard, CFO of United Healthcare, was presented with the Board of Trustees Merit Award for his work with Capital Crossroads to Careers, a program funded through Travelers that provides Capital students with work experience and on-the-job training through paid internships.
The college’s Educational Excellence Award was presented to Linda Domenitz, Capital’s director of Career Services. Domenitz, who has worked at Capital for over two decades, has provided leadership for innumerable organizations at the college.

CCC Foundation Chair Tom Trumble and Directors Brad Noel and Sophia Gray attended the Commencement Reception prior to ceremonies on May 27th